Method of Discarding a Cigarette Butt

ABSTRACT

The method is for discarding cigarette butts. A cigarette box ( 10 ) is provided that has a compartment ( 12 ) for containing cigarettes ( 14 ). The box has an expandable container ( 28 ) that is separate from but adjacent to the compartment ( 12 ). The container ( 28 ) has openable resilient members ( 20 ) disposed at a top of the container ( 28 ). The resilient members ( 20 ) are opened to create an opening ( 26 ) leading into the container ( 28 ). A cigarette butt ( 30 ) may be dropped into the container ( 28 ) and the resilient members ( 20 ) are then closed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The method relates to a method for discarding a cigarette butt. More particularly, the method is for discarding the cigarette butt into an openable non-inflammable container that is part of the cigarette box itself that contains the cigarettes.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Cigarette smoking has many negative effects on the smokers and the society as a whole. One such drawback is the littering of cigarette butts that are not only unpleasant to look at but can be dangerous to children particularly to infants. Despite years of various information campaigns the littering of cigarette butts is still a major problem. There is a need for a better and more convenient way of discarding cigarette butts that is less harmful to nature and society.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The method of the present invention provides a solution to the above-outlined problems. More particularly, the method is for discarding cigarette butts. A cigarette box is provided that has a compartment for containing cigarettes. The box has an expandable container that is separate from but adjacent to the compartment. The container has openable resilient members disposed at a top of the container. The resilient members may be opened to create an opening leading into the container. After the smoker has finished smoking a cigarette, the smoker may drop the cigarette butt into the container and the resilient members are, upon release, automatically closed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cigarette box of the present invention with a container being partially filled with cigarette butts;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the cigarette box; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the cigarette box showing a the container being opened.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIGS. 1-3, the cigarette box 10 of the present invention has a compartment 12 for storing conventional un-smoked cigarettes 14. The box has an openable lid 16 that may be opened and closed as the smoker picks up new cigarettes to be lit and smoked. At one side 18, the box 10 has lip-shaped resilient members 20 that may be opened by urging a first end 22 towards a second end 24 to bend the members 20 outwardly to form a second opening 26. As best shown in FIG. 3, a thumb 23 and an index finger 25 may, for example, be used. The opening 26 leads into an expandable container 28 that, preferably, is made of a non-flammable expandable material 29 such as a bendable metal sheet that could be made of aluminum or any other suitable non-flammable material. By releasing the resilient members (20) from their biased opened position the opening (26) may automatically be closed.

An important feature of the container 28 is that it may expand into the compartment 12 as the box is being emptied of cigarettes 14. More particularly, the smoker may open the resilient members 20 and drop glowing cigarette butts 30 into the second container 28. As the container 28 is being filled with cigarette butts 30, the compartment 12 is being emptied of cigarettes 14. In this way, the container 28 may gradually expand into the compartment 12. Another feature is that when the container 28 is empty it does not interfere with the space of the compartment 12. Only when the compartment 12 is emptied of cigarettes 14 does the container 28 expand as a result of the increased numbers of cigarette butts 30 contained by the container 28.

Preferably, the container 28 is made of the non-flammable material 29 so that the smoker may insert glowing cigarette butts 30 into the container 28 without causing any material of the box 10 to burn. As best shown in FIG. 2, the material 29 of the container 28 may have accordion pleated sides 31 that are easily collapsed and expanded as needed. The pleated sides 31 are collapsed when the compartment 12 is full with un-smoked cigarettes and partially expanded as the container 28 is being filled with butts 30. This reduces the effective space of the container 12. Optionally, there may be a movable or slidable wall disposed between the container 28 and the compartment 12 so that the slidable wall is slid as the container 28 expands.

While the present invention has been described in accordance with preferred compositions and embodiments, it is to be understood that certain substitutions and alterations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the following claims. 

1. A method for discarding cigarette butts, comprising: providing a cigarette box (10) having a compartment (12) for containing cigarettes (14), the box having an expandable container (28) being separate from but adjacent to the compartment (12), the container (28) having openable resilient members (20) disposed at a top of the container (28); taking a cigarette from the compartment (12) of the box (10); smoking the cigarette; opening the resilient members (20) to create an opening (26) leading into the container (28); dropping a cigarette butt (30) from the cigarette into the container (28); and closing the resilient members (20).
 2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the method further comprises urging a first end (22) towards a second end (24) of the resilient members (20) to open the container (28).
 3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the method further comprises providing the container (28) with a non-flammable material (29).
 4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the method further comprises providing the container (28) with accordion pleated sides (31).
 5. The method according to claim 4 wherein the method further comprises expanding the accordion pleated sides (31) by filling the container (28) with cigarette butts (30).
 6. The method according to claim 5 wherein the method further comprises reducing an effective space of the compartment (12) as the container (28) is expanded with cigarette butts (30). 